Commission turns down request to rezone Covil Ave.

Published: Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 9:57 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 9:57 a.m.

A request to rezone 6 acres on Wilmington's Covil Avenue has not been well received by the city's planning commission.

On Wednesday, the commission voted 5-2 to recommend the denial of the request. The applicants could appeal the decision to city council, which has the final authority on rezoning decisions.

Dan Dawson, a member of the planning commission, moved for a denial because of traffic concerns.

Walter Pete Avery, another member, said he is not opposed to apartments, but that the additional cars would clog the artery. "Pretty soon it's just going to have a big heart attack right there," he said.

The applicant wanted the city to rezone a 6.4-acre tract at 315 and 323 Covil Ave. from multifamily medium to multifamily medium-high conditional district to accommodate a 144-unit apartment complex.

<p>A request to rezone 6 acres on Wilmington's Covil Avenue has not been well received by the city's planning commission. </p><p>On Wednesday, the commission voted 5-2 to recommend the denial of the request. The applicants could appeal the decision to city council, which has the final authority on rezoning decisions. </p><p>Dan Dawson, a member of the planning commission, moved for a denial because of traffic concerns.</p><p>Walter Pete Avery, another member, said he is not opposed to apartments, but that the additional cars would clog the artery. "Pretty soon it's just going to have a big heart attack right there," he said. </p><p>The applicant wanted the city to rezone a 6.4-acre tract at 315 and 323 Covil Ave. from multifamily medium to multifamily medium-high conditional district to accommodate a 144-unit apartment complex. </p><p>– Julian March</p>